Feeding System's Sensitivity and Reliability Analysis through Markov Decision Process

The present study investigates a Feeding system, which is responsible for continuous coal supply to the boiler of coal fired power plants. As a result of complex working condition in the power plant, feeding system is prone to system failure. Therefore, analyzing the various reliability indices, their significance and importance of different components is pivotal. The feeding system comprises of different components, such as a primary feeder, secondary feeder, stacker reclaimer, and a set of primary and secondary conveyors. A continuous coal supply is needed for the smooth functioning of power plant boilers, and an appropriate maintenance strategy is essential. In the present study Markov process is utilized to develop a mathematical model of the Feeding system, which is used to evaluate the system's reliability parameters. Numerical results for various system parameters are obtained and illustrated with graphs. In addition, sensitivity analysis is also conducted to comprehend the impact of different failures on the system's overall performance. Also, the expected profit of the system is assessed. This research is imperative for improving operational efficiency in power plants and intensify economic benefits.